UCLA Neuroscientist Dr. Helen Lavretsky to Present Findings on Spirituality and Brain Health

UCLA psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Helen Lavretsky is scheduled to present research on the relationship between contemplative practices and brain function at a public event on November 10. The session, hosted by the nonprofit organization Unlikely Collaborators, will examine how meditation and mindfulness may influence emotional resilience and stress management.

Dr. Lavretsky, a professor at the UCLA Department of Psychiatry, will draw on her recent book, Living From the Soul: The Neuroscience of Spiritual Awakening. Her presentation aims to clarify the neurological mechanisms that may underpin experiences traditionally labeled as spiritual. The discussion will cover how increased self-awareness might help individuals modify habitual behavioral patterns and improve psychological well-being.

The event will take place at the Unlikely Collaborators headquarters in Santa Monica and will also be available via livestream. The program aligns with the organization’s ongoing exploration of the 'Perception Box' framework, which investigates how individual beliefs and personal history influence human perception.

Dr. Lavretsky’s research has received support from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Her academic career focuses on geriatric psychiatry and the integration of mind-body interventions into mental health treatment.